Our Management Team is responsible for the organisation’s performance and services and its members have backgrounds in local government and housing associations, together with extensive experience in social care, finance, development, Private Finance Initiatives and housing.

Cedric Frederick FIMgt, MinstLM, FRSA, MIoD – Chief Executive

Cedric Frederick joined KCHT as Chief Executive in September 2008. Prior to joining the organisation, Cedric was Chief Executive of Adepta, a multi regional charity that supported people with learning disabilities, autism and/or mental health problems. During his 12 years in post he led the organisations growth from a local service provider supporting 90 people, employing around 100 staff and with a turnover of £2m per annum to one that supported over 750 people, employed over 1000 staff and had an annual turnover approaching £27m per annum.

Cedric has also held a series of senior positions in the housing association and Local Authority sectors, including 4 years as Managing Director of BME Housing Association.

Cedric has over 20 years experience as member of the Board of several housing related national governing bodies, housing associations and voluntary organisations. This experience includes over 9 years as Non-Executive Director of a specialist mental health Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

 

Debbie Pert MCMI FCCA – Director of Finances and Resources, Deputy Chief Executive and Company Secretary

Born and educated in Ramsgate in Kent, Debbie began her career in finance working for an accountancy practice in Ramsgate, after which she worked for Thanet District Council and then as Financial Accountant at Thanet Community Housing Association, where she achieved her professional qualification. Debbie came to work for KCHT as Company Accountant in February 2000 and was promoted to Director of Finance and Resources and appointed as Company Secretary in 2003.

Debbie was confirmed in post as Deputy Chief Executive in January 2009, in addition to her role as Director of Finance and Resources.

Debbie is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Management.

 

Jacqueline Morris – Director of Practice Development

Born and educated in Thanet Kent, Jacqueline began her career in social care in 1980 running a day-centre for the elderly.At twenty-four, she became one of the youngest managers registered in Kent, to run a residential care home for people with mental health issues.In 1988 she was appointed General Manager and Company Director of CNH Ltd, managing dual registered nursing homes.

Jacquelines career began with KCHT in 1996 as Home Manager at Barton Court on the Isle of Sheppey.In 1998, the role was expanded to include the management responsibility for Court Regis in Sittingbourne.This was followed by her being appointed to the position of East Kent Area Manager, where she was seconded to Bexley in 1999, as part of the project team responsible for the transfer of the eight Bexley Care Homes in 2000. Jacqueline was then appointed to General Manager for London Care Homes in 2003.  In 2010 Jacqui’s role changed and she is currently Director of Practice Development.

 

Geoff Ward - Operations Director – Residential Services

A career beginning in the financial sector of the City of London and later seventeen years employment with the Ford Motor Company, Geoff moved to Kent and the social care sector in 1990. Owning and managing a residential care home provided Geoff with a sound understanding of the sector, which later took him to run operations for a privately-owned group of care homes. Geoff joined KCHT in 2001 and in 2010, Geoff assumed responsibility for all of the care homes in the Avante portfolio.

Passionate about his chosen field, Geoff is exploring new models of care with special emphasis on continued active living for people with dementia. An associate of the internationally recognised Eden Alternative, Geoff is also currently working with Canterbury Christ Church University South East Dementia collaborative to establish specialist dementia centres operated by Avante Care and Support in Kent and Medway.

 

Darryl Godwin BSc(Hons), DipTP – Director of Property and Development

Darryl joined Avante in February 2012 bringing over 30 years experience in property development in both the private and social housing sectors. After qualifying as a Town Planner, he worked for a commercial property company before developing an interest in social housing and joining a leading London based housing association. As Development Director and subsequently Director of Home Ownership he initiated large and often complex developments including a number of award winning schemes. More recently he moved back to the private construction sector concentrating on business development and partnerships, prior to joining Avante.

Darryl is committed to ensuring Avante achieves its ambitious growth plans, as well as improving and maintaining its existing homes to a high standard. He also plans to enhance the environmental and energy performance of Avante’s buildings.

Darryl is also an active Board member of Asra, a leading housing association.

 

Carolyn McVittie Managing Director, Stepahead Support

Carolyn McVittie joined KCHT in 2001 having 13 years experience working with children and families. Carolyn joined KCHT from Barnardos, a National Childrens Charity, were she worked in schools and colleges speaking to young people about the issues that they may face in their adolescence including homelessness, relationships and teenage pregnancy. Prior to Barnardos Carolyn managed a nursery in a private school.

Carolyn joined KCHT as a keyworker in the Breakthrough service and was appointed as the Managing Director of Moving Forward and Breakthrough in May 2009. Moving Forward and Breakthrough were the youth services within KCHT supporting vulnerable young people and their families. These are now known as Stepahead Support

Whilst working at Stepahead, Carolyn achieved a Diploma in Management and is a member of the Chartered Management Institute.

 

Derek Lindars MSc - Director of Human Resources

Having previously served as a musician in the Royal Marines Band Service, Derek gained a Masters degree in Human Resources from South Bank University and membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. During the latter half of the 1990s, Derek worked for a large food manufacturing company as a Human Resources (HR) Manager before joining KCHT in 2003 as HR Manager and advisor on Health and Safety matters. In 2005, Derek was appointed Head of HR with additional responsibilities for the professional and personal development of staff.

 

John Lockwood MSc - Managing Director, Community Support

John started his career as an International Marketing graduate and has worked with a number of leading international companies including J Walter Thompson, Twinlock, Memorex, Nashua, Itek and GE in senior management positions covering marketing, brand management, business development, operations management and HR.

He has worked in France, Germany and the USA and managed business teams in over 30 countries. He was a branch chairman  for the Chartered Institute of Marketing and was subsequently appointed to Southeast Regional Director cover for 25 branches and industry groups. He has run his own outplacement, training and software businesses. He has been working in operations management in the domiciliary care sector covering older adult care and learning disability support since 2002, managing businesses with up to 12 branches and to 20,000 hours a week in London, the South East and East of England. He is also a qualified trainer.

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